An Over the Top Outfit, Deconstructed

I'm going to a Zandra Rhodes book signing on Wednesday.
On Friday I road tested an outfit.

Let's study what's going on.

The pink fluffiness is a rectangle of Mongolian Lamb. Maybe originally intended as a rug?
It was displayed on the floor at the Flitterman Collection studio sale:

It was love at first sight, but it took me several circuits of the room to commit.
No regrets!

Next layer is the pink mystery fiber sequinned ombre scarf that I got at a Tibetan shop in Williamsburg, NY in January 2012. That MIGHT have been the moment I was finally comfortable wearing Barbie Pink.

On my extremities:
chenille armlettes cut from socks,
striped socks from Uniqlo (obtained at a store opening on deep discount).

Neon Yellow Fluevog Aimees on my feet.

Base layers: royal blue cheap Chinese high-low dress:

And last but not least, the Crazy Legs Leggings from Society6!

Somebody (on Facebook? on Instagram?) wanted to see a closeup of the print on the leggings:

It's a digital composite of three 60's prints which I insterted into the Crown of Thorns quilting pattern.

Let's continue deconstructing!
I couldn't find the red ground paisley vest (in a box somewhere), here are the other two sources:

Pink, mustard, and white smock that is "in work" (I cut off the yoke).

You've seen this neon shirt before!

All three garments came from my friend Larry's stash. Thanks Larry!

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Ageless Style

#SecondhandSeptember Online Secondhand Shops

EBay
I only recently started shopping off of eBay. I believe I held off from fear of getting addicted. Also the bidding thing was off-putting, annoying (getting out-bid at the last minute), and too tempting in the "getting invested in the bidding itself and paying too much" issue. I favor the "Buy it now" deals.
Then there are the eBay Alerts. A problematic situation in terms of my Fluevog obsession.
Every morning in my email this:

Those oxfords. The "new match" has been taunting me for at least a month!
Someone with a 7.5 foot buy them, please!

Craigslist
is great for household items
I got these flat files years ago:

[black lettering from original owner]

Then there was the day Severo discovered the "free on the curb" section of Craigslist:

disclaimer: this includes the broken washer and becoming broken dryer (on right) that we replaced

I'll leave it at these Big Two.
Maybe you have a favorite smaller site? (aside from Poshmark, which I discussed on Day 5)
Add it in the comments section -- OK to paste links.
Or add a visual/blog link to the Link Up Party!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

It's All About Me: Eleven Questions

1) Why blog?

My first blog was started for a drawing challenge. I was immediately addicted.

My first-ever blog post -- 5.26.2008

I started my seventh (!) to learn WordPress before changing my art website to that platform.

I really like blogging as a way to communicate. Pictures and words — win-win!

2. What is your favorite pastime (aside from blogging)

My creative endeavors are too weighted to be pastimes so I’ll have to say, doing things with my love Severo! Or eating. Or both:

3. How do you overcome your fears?

Powering through. But some? I have some deep fears (heights) that I can’t lick. It is what it is.

4. What motivates you?

Deadlines

My Top Secret project, procrastination is setting in.

5. How do you define success?

Feeling excited and engaged in whatever project(s) I’m working on.

6. Who do you admire?

All the people who follow their passion, no matter the cost.

7. What is beautiful to you?

Honesty. Nature. Lurid sunrises and sunsets.

Phoenix Sunset II, oil on canvas, 48 x 30", ©2001

8. What are two things you like about yourself?

I am a creative force!

I love my legs

Legs. Banned on Tumblr.

9. Favorite style era?

1920s

10. Heels or flats?

Clogs and Fluevogs (2” heel and under)

11. Favorite season?

Ramp season! “Ramps are a wild onion that grow during the spring in Eastern Canada and the U.S. They're sometimes referred to as wild leeks, and taste like a balanced mixture of garlic and onion. They're pungent, to say the very least.” (From HuffPost)

That time I discovered ramps in my mom's woods -- May 2014

This was inspired by the questions issued to Shelbee for her Sunshine Blogger Award

Linking up with
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Catherine's #ShareAllLinkup

Aloha, Glendale Style

It was another Movie Nite at Russ and Anita's house.

photo by Anita

Details:
Tiki cork necklace made by Susan West for her husband's 50th b-day party.
Grass skirt drink decor from same party, worn as cuffs.
Shell necklaces from a 2005 luau we attended in Kailua, on the Big Island.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Delicious!

Yes, we were going to see one of the Elvis in Hawaii films: Paradise, Hawaiian Style.

It's really bad -- check out this scathing review!

Russ and Anita introduce the movies

Nick and Will perform a poolside ditty

First short: Wackiki Wabbit

Dessert intermission before the feature.
I made Haupia (upper left above watermelon)
from a recipe provided by the Polynesian Cultural Center, where scenes from the Elvis movie were shot!

Closer look at Sarojini's Surfin' Pineapple Cupcakes. YUM!

Fun in the Tiki Shack

Under the Love Lobstah

One last outfit detail: Severo wore that same shirt at the 2005 luau mentioned above.
Where he danced with a Hula Girl!

HEY! Stop looking at her coconuts!

Previous Movie Nite escapades: Mildred Pierce [there are more but I can't find them].

You still have time to add a Summer link or two or three:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #shareAllLinkup
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

Fluevog Time!

Severo and I had a mini date to Abbot Kinney and the Fluevog Store to try on some shoes and get entered in the Win 10 Years of Free Shoes contest. (See more about that here, on Fluevog).
By the way, this is not a sponsored post. I just adore Fluevogs.

The Tiger print display. Sigh.

I happen to have art that I created in the '80s while a freshman at Otis available on Society6 that coordinates so nicely with that tiger print:

Society6 link for tote

We'll get back to the Tiger stuff.

First, I tried on the X and O print Receptive
Yeah, cute:

Cute, but not an "I must have these now" situation.
Plus not the correct size.

Next up was Cleo. Cleo I could not get over my high instep. No photo.

Then I took off my socks and tried Dede.
I coerced Severo into trying on Chalky for the photo op possibilities.
Plus if he wins the contest, he'll buy me shoes!

Stylin' but WAY too painful for both of us.
The gals in the store had a good laugh at Severo's loud groaning over the pain.
"Now you know what we go through ALL THE TIME!"

My Wishlist and Scorecard:

I didn't try everything because the poor Fluevogists have to run upstairs to get the pairs.
The store is tiny.

Then, on a whim, I tried Sugarsnap:

They are SO CUTE! I am in love!
Why oh why are they on Mini heels?
Why can't they be on the lower Enneagram heels?
I will be obsessing over these for a while.

They have entered my Wishlist, despite the heel height.

And, speaking of Fluevogs, I'm almost finished with an A-Z blogging challenge of Fluevog Art. (Third year).
Mosey on over to Pattern Recognition and take a looksee.
Or check the #fluevogpattern hashtag on Instagram.

Linking with
Patti's Visible Monday
Cherie's Shoe and Tell
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's On the Edge of the Week

Live Colorfully!

I've been to a bunch of music gigs, madly taking photos (when allowed), scribble sketching in the dark, and making a marked attempt to stand out from the sea of black.

I really hit rainbow gold when I ran into Nipper at Evie Sands and Amy Raasch at The Federal on Saturday.

photos by Ruth

I remember admiring Nipper as she pontificated in the Otis courtyard during lunch break, circa 1986.
She was an Illustration major. She sported amazing shredded fishnets.

Here are some patio selfies showcasing the double paisley effect:

Too dark, must change location

Kept it a wide crop -- I loved all the weird angles with my ladder "tripod", the annoying bed thing that Severo scavenged, the stabby ray of sunlight, and the hose head, which color coordinated so nicely.

I wore this exact same outfit twice. To the above mentioned show and to the Pettybreakers at The Coach House the night before. No outfit shots from that night. [Sad face].
However I DID capture this moment:

My hair matches my treat! (No, I don't mean Severo)

Severo's BFF Rafael now drums for the Pettybreakers and I insisted on this group selfie.

Scribble sketches (on Sketch Blog) and an "I'm with the band" (on Glutton Blog) posts coming eventually. One more gig tonight that I want to include!

Par-tay on!

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherines #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's On the Edge of the Week

A Cloudy Day at the Beach, Hunting Island, SC

Last week Severo and I flew East to visit my mom on Fripp Island in South Carolina.
Despite my clumsy falling-and-spraining-my-knee episode, we had a great time.
[I think I have eaten my fill of shrimp for a few months!]

Here is our visit to Hunting Island, the next Island north of Fripp (which is a gated, private resort).
Hunting Island is one of the few South Carolina State Parks with beach access and camping.
It was hard hit by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and the park was closed for a long time, much to the consternation of all who like to visit. There are still a lot of fallen trees and riff-raff on the beach and throughout the island. Slowly, the state is getting it cleaned up, and rebuilding demolished structures.

Severo, me, Mom

Mom and Severo survey the beach.

Beach vista. The "foam" on the sand is soap suds. I don't know why.

Beach feet.

How to dress in an uncoordinated manner, plus cane.
A non-fashion comfort statement!

Driving around to the lagoon, rustic road!

At the lagoon, with tilting palms -- result of the hurricane.

Waterlogue (digital watercolor) of the lagoon.

The Hunting Island lighthouse, as seen through one of the display shed's windows.

The lighthouse, which one can climb for a $2 admission fee. We didn't.

Unintentional selfie outtake, as one does when everyone is 60+.
The tilted horizon adds to the whole effect.

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Judith's (April) Hat Attack